Blog Content
If you are considering selling your home, these are my recommendations on getting your house ready to sell in this tough market. Don’t count on buyers seeing past the clutter, dirt, deferred repairs – they won’t. If they see any of this, they make the assumption that there is a lot more they cannot see.
The earlier you start, the better – the first step of clearing clutter takes a long time and a lot of effort unless you are willing to back up a dumpster and toss everything you don’t need.
- Clear out the Clutter
- Deep Clean
- Maintenance Check
- Fix Up/ Landscape
- Stage
Clear out the Clutter
It can take a long time to get this phase done, particularly if you want to get top dollar for items you want to sell or you want to make sure your stuff goes to the right charities. We have a booklet that details all these resources, so if this is you, just ask!
First rule of thumb to help you make hard decisions – would you take the item to your next house? If not, dispose of it now.
Deep Clean
Right before you sell, you definitely want to deep clean. I strongly recommend you bit the bullet and pay to have this done. A deep clean is a lot more work than you think it would be. We’re talking fan blades, baseboards, inside ovens,
In the meantime, as you are clearing clutter, deep clean the areas you have cleared out. Whether that is you or a cleaning company. For example, once you have cleaned out the basement, vacuum up dust, cobwebs, dead bugs, mouse poop. Clean the top of the furnace and hot water heater. Have the basement floor painted if it is stained. Same goes for the attic, crawl spaces, sheds, etc.
Maintenance Check
Make sure you have your HVAC system on a maintenance plan and have those tags proudly hung from the system. Make sure all filters are changed right before you put the house on the market.
It’s a good idea to get an inspection done and tackle the necessary repairs. The inspection will cost you around $1,000 and is money well spent. Don’t do the inspection if you are not going to fix anything. Because now you know what needs to be fixed and have to respond honestly if asked by buyers. No point in knowing if you are not going to tackle the list.
Fix It Up / Landscape
Get the inspection done early so you have time to get whatever repairs done that you can afford to.
If you are not going to do an inspection, at least fix all the things you know need fixing – slow drains, electrical that doesn’t work – all the things you have learned to live with.
Landscaping is also something you need to tackle early. A neglected lawn or plantings don’t suddenly look great right before a sale. If you can’t afford a landscaper – fertilize, mow, plant, prune, water on a regular basis.
What you can and should do right before selling is one last pruning, weeding, and mulching.
Stage
Hiring a professional stager is worth every penny. Studies have shown that staged homes sell for up to 20% more. You have one chance with each buyer to evoke a feeling of clean, calm, elegance. Don’t count on their ability to see past the clutter, dirt, old bedding, etc unless you are prepared to sell the house for less than market value.
Problem is – most stagers won’t stage an occupied home – understandable given the damage that can be done to their inventory by occupants. But when you are ready to list, we can come through and let you know what needs to go, how furniture should be rearranged and do some light staging for you.
Be prepared to do your part when self-staging. Thin out the trinkets and decor items that will not serve your staging goals. Make sure you have large baskets. You will need them to throw things into before showings – toys, shower clutter, etc.
Your bedding should look as if it is in a hotel room – all matching with new pillows. Buy new white towels for show. Buy new plain shower curtains. Buy amber colored soap dispensers for the kitchen and baths. The couple hundred dollars will have a fantastic ROI.
Of course, once you sign up to list with us, we will guide you through all of this. In the meantime, this list can help you to get a head start.
